Pages

Monday, April 8, 2013

African Violets and Writers

African violets weave in and out of my childhood memories. My mother is a huge fan and always had at least a couple of them in the house. Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. Someone gave me a beautiful specimen that is perched on a shelf above my desk at work.

I've learned a thing or two about these sometimes finicky plants:

1. They must be watered from the bottom. Get moisture on their leaves, and you might as well throw them on the compost heap.

2. My African Violet sits under a fluorescent light and shows its happiness by abundant flowering.

3. The plants also favor an eastern exposure. If they're in a spot that's too sunny, the leaves will burn.

For those of you who love a writer, we need a few things to keep us happy and productive:

I had an African Violet when I was in college. My mother gave it to me. It was in a pretty cup with a saucer under it. I almost dropped it one day. The friend I was talking to caught before it hit the floor. After that, it bloomed more profusely. I haven't had much success with plants since. Our house is too dark.